Is It Cheaper to Paint a House or Put Siding on It?

So, you’re thinking of a home exterior upgrade. Congratulations. You’re on your way to making a smart home improvement decision. Two of the most cost-effective exterior upgrade projects are whole-house painting and siding installation projects. Both can enhance curb appeal like no other project can, potentially adding appreciable value to your property. The question is, which project can be considered cheaper—or more accurately—less expensive?

Keep in mind that value is not always associated with the initial expense. Some projects can save you money now but cost maintenance dollars down the line. There are two critical questions that you need to ask yourself to determine which project is more cost-effective in the long run.

Are You Planning on Moving Soon?

Replacing your siding is an investment in the future of a home. If you’re planning to sell your home soon and the damage to your exterior is not extensive, repainting your home should satisfy some potential buyers. On the other hand, if homes in the neighborhood feature siding, which is known to be far more protective than paint, your home may not attract other buyers.

Which Project Is the Better Investment?

It’s important to note that high-quality exterior paint jobs typically last up to eight years before visible chipping and fading appear, with most paint jobs showing wear in four to seven years. By comparison, today’s house siding products offer up to three times paint’s lifespan, sometimes more.

Your circumstances will likely determine whether replacement or repainting is the correct choice. If you have the budget, then replacing your siding is a wise investment. Having siding installed may cost more than having your home repainted, but siding costs less over the long term. One reason is that siding is more energy efficient than paint, which can translate into energy savings. Those savings mean more money in your pocket, and that’s always worth considering.

Learn About Premium Polymer Siding

Since 1982, Continental Manufacturing has been a leading siding supplier for Midwest homeowners. We take our engineering process seriously, working hard to perfect our siding products. We are so confident that our long-lasting polymer siding can be a smart investment for homeowners that we back our products with a lifetime transferable warranty. To learn more, contact Continental Manufacturing today. We’ll put you in touch with a dealer in your area.